[Bryn-gwlad] Upcoming Demo - Pirates of the Caribbean. Please read, I need input.

Thu Jun 29 22:40:57 PDT 2006

I am going to voice an opinion on this, and I'd like for it to be read in depth rather than scanned and dismissed. I often find that to make a good point, I have to use a lot of words, so I apologize for that in advance. Here goes.

  I both agree with and disagree with this demo, and I want to explain why.

  On one hand, having a working relationship with the Drafthouse is a good thing in my opinion. Having a venue for reaching out to people who are already queueing up because of at least a passing interest in thematic things (read: future medieval movie night) is a good thing. Training ourselves--all of us--that we all need to pitch in to the effort of attracting new, quality, interested members who will stay and contribute and continue our dream, is a good thing.

  What is not a good thing, though, is to do a piratey demo at a piratey movie and say "Hey we're the SCA" and have people come out wanting to do piratey things, and then be told summarily that no, you cannot do piratey things in the SCA. It's false advertising. For that reason, I do not think that we should do an SCA demo at this movie.

  Now hold on, don't scoff and/or delete yet.

  What I DO think we might want to consider, is to arrange an exchange with the Drafthouse. Specifically, we will provide atmosphere for their opening... -in pirate garb and not SCA garb-... in exchange for them hosting a prime time medieval/renaissance movie theme night where we would -then- come out in our full SCA regalia and be given permission to heavily promote the SCA. Heck, even advertise it as being "in conjunction with" the SCA.

  In this way, we will establish a working relationship with the Drafthouse, and also establish a pattern of each entity helping the other out even when it isn't necessarily beneficial to both parties. It is a more long-term investment approach.

  However to see this as an opportunity to garner new people is to set ourselves, and them, up for disappointment. Medieval reenactors and pirate reenactors are two rather different breeds, most of the time. I say this because exactly this idea has been tried before, with exactly the result that I am elaborating.

  Help the Drafthouse out, sure. Establish a working relationship with them for future endeavors, great. But see this as a recruitment opportunity? Tread that road lightly.

  ...That said, I do think that there are likely enough people in the SCA who also would enjoy being a pirate for a night that we could earn a lot of gratitude from the Drafthouse. I liken it to that time that a bunch of us worked Shamino's Peter Pan birthday party.

  Anyway. That's my opinion, FWIW.

  -Corbin

Lauren Tapia <siervua at gmail.com> wrote:
  Hello and greetings!

Ok Good news, Alamo Draft house would like us to do a demo for opening night of Pirates of the Caribbean.

They called me today, and I told them I would talk it over with the group and give them a confirmation sometime this weekend. 

Why didn't I just jump on it and confirm right away you ask? Well they want us for opening night. I mean LITERALLY opening night. They would like a group to do a demo with light fighting, and add ambience. Only problem is they're talking about Thursday night for the midnight showing. That means the demo would start between 10 and 11. With it being a Thursday and such would we even have a turnout with work schedules and holidays?

This is the Alamo Draft House on Anderson Lane, aka The Village in between Burnet and Mopac. They want "piratey stuff", as he put it, I advised him that we play up until 1600's or so, and that this is out of our period, but most late 16th century clothing would add a great touch to their opening night, but those special touches would be up to the individual person.

So I lay this before you. Personally I feel this would be a great opportunity despite the time, as it would help us build a relationship with Alamo, and if they ever decide to host a "medieval movie night" (which I Subtly suggested) we would be able to get in on that as well as any other movies that may suit.

So now I wait to see what you all think. Feel free to either email me privately or call me at 767-0949. I would like to get an answer to them by Sunday the latest.

-- 
Isabelica Gonzales de Guadalupe
Kingdom of Ansteorra, Barony of Bryn Gwlad
MKA Lauren Tapia _______________________________________________
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